Ohio Drive schedule slips

Here's the latest update from the National Park Service about the Ohio Drive reconstruction, a relatively small project near the Lincoln Memorial that has nonetheless managed to annoy many drivers heading in and out of central Washington.

The reconstruction began in April, but it wasn't till the start of phase II on June 2, with its work on the outbound lanes, that commuter complaints really started to pour in. That phase was originally scheduled to last till the end of July, but the Park Service said today that workers found a problem in the sub-base of the roadway that they need to fix.

Phase II now is scheduled to end Aug. 16, the Park Service said. Phase III, work on the inbound lanes, is scheduled to begin Aug. 16 and end Sept. 13. Both of these phases involve replacing all the drainage systems, the curbs and the sidewalks.

The entire project, including the repaving of all surfaces, is scheduled to be done by the end of October. (If the project hits that target, it would mean that the work finished as predicted in the original timetable the Park Service announced in April.)

During the morning rush, Ohio Drive remains inbound only. Complete closings can occur from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. each night.
This coming week
Monday, Aug. 2, through Friday, Aug. 6, morning rush hours (6-10 a.m.) Ohio Drive will be two lanes of inbound traffic only. Non-rush hours will have one lane in each direction. Afternoon rush hours (3:30-6:30 p.m.) Ohio Drive will be two lanes outbound only. The ramp from Ohio Drive to Lincoln Memorial Circle will be closed at all times.

Also during the morning rush, westbound Independence Avenue will be closed beyond 17th Street. Traffic has been advised to detour onto 15th or 17th Street or use alternate routes.

Dr. G - has the NPS given any indication why they chose to close it during rush hour? I occasionally bike to work via the TR bridge and can see that section of road fairly clearly. Between the hours of 8-9:15 AM (what I'd consider peak rush hour), there is absolutely nothing being worked on next to the Rock Creek Trail by the steps. Something tells me these guys do the majority of their work by 9 AM, then call it quits.